New Build won't start

[rémid]

Hi everyone,

I always wanted to build my own pc, and now I did it. Only sad thing, it won't boot.

Ok, first things first, please note that this is my first build ever, though I have been playing inside computers for a few years.

Here's the beast:

CPU:AMD Phenom II X4 955 with standard fan
MOBO: Asus M4A79T Deluxe (socket AM3)
Video: ATI Radeon HD 4550 and/or Sapphire Radeon HD 3650
HDD: Patriot Warp 32GB SSD SATA
HDD2: Western Digital Caviar 250GB SATA
Optical: Sony DVDRW SATA
RAM: Corsair XMS/ (DDR3) 4x 2048MB 1333MHZ
PSU: ThermalTake PurePower 600W

Now, the problem:

When everything is installed and plugged and all, the motherboard has its on-board power switch lit.

When I power up the computer, both case and CPU fans and the western digital HDD start spinning (the other doesn't, but it's a SSD, so no moving parts), and the Sony DVDRW starts spinning too (assuming there is a CD inside)

But the fan on the video card doesn't start spinning, and there is no video output, and no other sing of a pc starting (like HDD reading or anything). Funny thing i noticed, when i shut down the computer, the GPU fan spins for about half a second.

I have some idea why it doesn't boot, but before changing parts or buying anything else, i want to get some advice so i won't get the cash out of my pocket for nothing.

First, i think i may have burnt some piece of hardware with the feared ESD (i was thinking either the motherboard or the cpu). I'm positive the other pieces didn't suffer the ESD.

Second, I think my PSU may not be powerful enough for the whole kit, though i tested with minimal power demand (I unplugged the SSD, left only the HDD, unplugged the case fans, the DVDRW, removed one video card) and still the problem stays.

Right now, I am clueless. Can anyone help?

If there is any question about this message, or the computer, please feel free to ask. And remember that english is not my first language.

Thanks in advance!

[xApemanx]

do you get any beep error messages?

I'd suggest swapping vidcards with whatever you know that works on hand.

then try using 1 stick of memory . perhaps one of them is kaput.

Also try unhooking the SSD. I'm not sure if it could cause the problem but mydaswell trouble shoot it aswell.

I had a similar problem last year, turned out my motherboard kicked the bucket.

Edit. I'd also like to add that you've made a very informative post about your issue. was a pleasure to respond to

[rémid]

Thanks for the fast answer.

I get no beep signal of any sort.

I have already tried using only one RAM stick, with each of the four.

I don't think I can swap the video cards with anything else, since my other working computer has only a very old PCI (not PCIE) video card.

I just tried unhooking the SSD, still no improvement.

I was wondering if it could be the PSU that would give bad voltage on some plugs, since I just discovered that the USB plugs aren't powered...

Thanks again!

[fuflo]

are both required psu cables connected to motherboard? the 24pin one and 4/8 pin one. ( <-- just in case.. )

other than that, to test, connect only minimal system. mobo, vga, 1 stick of ram and a keyboard. and try playing with ram sticks until you get a bios screen ( or not.. then just give up )

i have frequent problems with my ram whenever i disassemble my pc. switching the ram sticks around makes it boot again. i'm not even sure what the problem is, but that's my solution.

[grumpydaddy]

Case and cpu fans should run from 12v so that is working...(at least on 1 rail)....Is all this new kit? if the MB is not new then clear cmos (disconnect psu from mains first) then start over as fuflo said 1 stick ram cpu and fan and 1 vga (each in turn). all you want to begin is a bios screen.

[rémid]

First of all, thank to all of you who answered!

Both cables are connected (24 and 8 pins).

I'll try again to swap the ram sticks until it works or I give up... wichever comes first.

All this rig is new stuff bought over the internet (Tigerdirect.ca) I can still try the cmos wipe out, but I don't expect it to work.

I'll keep you posted if anything works.

Thanks Again!

[rémid]

Little update:

I just passed about 30 minutes trying swapping ram sticks, video cards, checking connections, I even wiped the CMOS, but still no progress...

I think more and more of throwing the motherboard away and buying a new one...

If any of you has any other idea, i'll be glad to try it!

[rémid]

YEEHAY!!!!

I just cleared the CMOS withthe battery removed (thing I didn't think to do until a re-read the mobo manual) and guess what? It booted!! I now can access the BIOS!! You should have seen me jumping all over the place when the monitor flicked and displayed the ASUS logo!!

Thanks a lot to all of you guys, for your advices! They were really helpful!

[xApemanx]

congratulations on your success

[Doctor_Death]

Can you please try removing all of your memory, and only install one module in the slot furthest away from the cpu socket, make sure it's in the slot all the way. I also want you to go back and double check every cable. push down and make sure they are tight. If you have a modular power supply, do the same with that, and let me know what happens. If you have the same problem, try one module at a time.

[Doctor_Death]

Also make sure your video cards are all the way in the PCI-e slots.